Raptors destroy Canada rivals

Posted: Monday, March 26, 2001

By Associated Press

TORONTO -- Vince Carter scored 24 points as the Toronto Raptors beat Vancouver 102-92 Sunday, sending the Grizzlies to their ninth straight loss in what might be the final meeting between the Canadian teams.

Vancouver owner Michael Heisley has until Monday to inform the NBA where he wants to move the team. Memphis, Tenn., is the front-runner, with Louisville, Ky., New Orleans and Anaheim, Calif., also possibilities.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 26 points for the Grizzlies, who went 0-8 on their road trip.

Orlando and Indiana have split four meetings this season with the home team winning each game.

Celtics 102, Bulls 98

BOSTON -- Paul Pierce scored 13 of his 36 points in the last 3 1/2 minutes as Boston pulled into a tie for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

With a 31-38 record, the Celtics are even with the Indiana Pacers. Each team has 13 games remaining.

The victory also helped Boston avoid another embarrassing home loss to the Bulls.

Bucks 105, Hawks 98

MILWAUKEE -- Ray Allen had 25 points and 11 rebounds, and Sam Cassell added 22 points and 11 assists as Milwaukee rallied to win its fifth straight game. The Bucks, who trailed by 17 points with about four minutes left in the third quarter, increased their lead to 4 1/2 games over idle Charlotte in the Central Division.

Timberwolves 105, Nets 91

MINNEAPOLIS -- Terrell Brandon scored a career-high 34 points against Stephon Marbury, the player he replaced as Minnesota's point guard.

Brandon shot 15-of-25 from the field and added six assists as the Timberwolves led throughout.

Stephon Marbury scored 32 points for New Jersey against his former team, including 20 in the second half. Johnny Newman added 24 for the Nets.

Lakers 84, Kings 72

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Shaquille O'Neal had 23 points and 15 rebounds as Los Angeles scored 18 straight points in the fourth quarter and moved into a tie with Sacramento atop the Pacific Division.

Rick Fox had 17 points and Brian Shaw added 14 for the Lakers, who were without the injured Kobe Bryant.

Chris Webber finished with 10 rebounds and 15 points. Doug Christie also had 15 points for Sacramento, which missed 18 of its first 20 shots in the fourth quarter.

With the victory, Los Angeles earned the tiebreaker edge if it finishes tied for the division lead with Sacramento.